Industry News

Tokyo, Japan-based Solar Frontier K.K., the world's largest provider of CIS solar energy solutions, has reportedly set a new world record for thin-film solar cell (OPV) efficiency.

In joint research with the National Research and Development Agency's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) of Japan, Solar Frontier achieved 22.9% conversion efficiency on a 1-sq-cm cell using its CIS technology. Independently verified by the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in November, this record achieved 0.3 % over the current world record of 22.6% that was set by the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) in February 2016.

This achievement was made through such technologies as CIS-absorber engineering and enhanced surface treatment of the absorber layer, which demonstrate the steady progression of Solar Frontier's thin-film technology.

Finland-based global converter Huhtamaki has completed the sale of the vacated manufacturing facility and related land rights in Guangzhou, China, as announced on April 21, 2017. To further conclude the consolidation of its foodservice-packaging converting operations in South China, Huhtamaki closed down the manufacturing unit in Shandong, China, impacting approximately 200 jobs. The product range manufactured in Shandong will in the future be sourced externally.

In addition, to gain synergies from the recent acquisition of International Paper's foodservice packaging operations in China, comprising of manufacturing units in Tianjin and Shanghai, Huhtamaki has decided to consolidate its manufacturing operations in Tianjin into one unit. All manufacturing operations will be transferred to the unit acquired from IP. Employees currently working at the unit to be closed will be offered equivalent work opportunities at the continuing Tianjin unit. The transfer is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Following the above activities, the Huhtamaki production footprint in China will consist of three efficient and focused foodservice-manufacturing units (Guangzhou, Shanghai and Tianjin), allowing it to support the growth plans of its customers operating in China.

Mondi Group has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares in Powerflute Group Holdings Oy, a division of Nordic Packaging and Container Holdings, for €365 million.

Powerflute operates an integrated pulp and paper mill in Kuopio (Finland) with an annual production capacity of 285,000 tonnes of high-performance fluting. Powerflute’s premium, semi-chemical fluting is sold to a diverse range of customers, primarily for packaging fresh fruit and vegetables, but also other end-uses such as electronics, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Around half of the Company’s production is sold in Europe, while the remainder is exported globally.

For the year ending Dec. 31, 2017, the company is expected to generate revenues of around €183 million and unaudited EBITDA of around €42 million. Powerflute will be integrated into Mondi’s Packaging Paper Business Unit.

Commenting on the acquisition, Peter Oswald, CEO of Mondi Group, says, “The acquisition of Powerflute supports our strategy of investing in high-quality packaging and paper assets. We are excited by this opportunity to expand our customer offering by further broadening our containerboard product range and geographic reach.

Brunswick, OH-based I.D. Images LLC, a leading pressure-sensitive label converter, announces its acquisition of the assets of Ready Flow Printing in Bentonville, AR.

Ready Flow was founded in 1982 as a high-quality flexographic and offset printer that began by providing shelf signage to the grocery industry. Over the past four years, under the ownership of Simon Robinson, the company has expanded into the label and rolled-film industries.

The acquisition marks I.D. Images’ seventh strategic acquisition since 2009. “We are excited to add Ready Flow’s team, products and capabilities to ours. Ready Flow’s high-end printing capabilities will allow us to offer more solutions to our customers. We are also excited to offer our solutions to Ready Flow’s customer base,” says Brian Gale, president/CEO of I.D. Images. “We continue to invest in I.D. Images, both organically and via acquisitions as we see opportunities to better serve our customers.”

With the majority of global consumers already recycling, demand for environmentally-friendly packaging will increase further in response to heightened publicity around plastics ending up in the ocean, according to GlobalData.

Peter Hays, consumer analyst at GlobalData, says, “Consumers are highly sensitive to the environmental implications of packaging formats. While the implications of product formulation have long been a focus of consumers, it is becoming clear that the packaging waste produced by everyday purchases also has a detrimental effect on the environment.”

GlobalData’s Q1 2017 global consumer survey found that consumers consider packaging recyclability to be the most important factor when it comes to environmentally-friendly packaging, but that view is likely to shift as awareness builds.

The anti-counterfeit packaging market in North America to grow at a CAGR of 12.68% during the period 2017-2021, says a new study by Research and Markets.

Anti-Counterfeit Packaging Market in North America 2017-2021 has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

According to the report, one driver in the market is prevention against counterfeiting. The global counterfeit market was valued at $1-$1.5 trillion in 2016 and is projected to reach more than $2 trillion by 2021. Counterfeiting is a common occurrence in the commercial sector across the globe and is particularly prevalent in North America to a large extent.

Fake products such as food, consumer electronics, beverages, pharma products, and agricultural products are penetrating the market at a steady pace. This, in turn, is leading to serious implications for consumers such as the counterfeiting of food products that results in severe health hazards. Counterfeit baby food items such as milk powder as well as spurious medicines having serious health implications have been on the rise since 2014.

The round bottom segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast periodBased on form, the round bottom segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing use of round-bottom stand-up pouches for packaging lightweight products.

The spout segment is projected to be the fastest-growing closure type in the Stand-up Pouches MarketBased on closure type, the spout segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR between 2017 and 2022. This is attributed to its ease of opening & closing, convenience in dispensing, and increasing demand for packaging liquid products. Furthermore, the rising need for efficient packaging designs and increasing demand for stand-up pouches drive the demand for spout closures.

The Asia PacificStand-up Pouches Market is projected to growat the highest CAGR during the forecast periodAsia Pacific accounted for the largest share of the Stand-up Pouches Market in 2016. Among all countries in the Asia Pacific region, the Stand-up Pouches Market in China is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The North American market is expected to grow at the second-highest CAGR between 2017 and 2022, with the US registering the highest growth rate in the region.

The global flexible-packaging market will grow faster than 5% CAGR to 2021, says a new study from Research and Markets. The report covers the present scenario and growth prospects of global flexible packaging from 2017-2021.

Commenting on the report, an analyst from the research team says, “One trend in the market is modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The increase in the consumption of ready-made packaged foods urges the requirement for a packaging that can preserve the contents inside for a longer period, leading to an increase in the demand for MAP. It helps in increasing the shelf life of foods that are minimally processed.”

According to the report, one driver in the market is demand for convenience by customers. One of the major factors driving the market is the growing need for convenience of customers. The packaging industry has understood the changing demand of the customers and is reciprocating to their changing preferences. The busy life of working professionals urges them to seek convenience in daily-use products, such as food, beverage, and toiletries. They look for products that require the least effort and time to open, store, and carry around.

Further, the report states that one challenge in the market is increasing popularity of online shopping. The increasing popularity of online shopping is one of the major challenges that would affect the growth of the flexible packaging market. The main objectives of packaging are to protect the product and give it an aesthetic look, which will attract consumers and urge them to buy the product. The penetration of mobile and internet is leading to an increase in the adoption of online shopping by people for monthly-use products. The visits to supermarkets have reduced and purchase decisions are not aided by emotions toward the packaging on a shelf.

The partnerships allows Roll-2-Roll Technologies LLC to reach the converting, paper, plastic film and web printing industries in the UK and Ireland market through TTS Systems’ sales and technical support team. It also allows TTS Systems to add Roll-2-Roll Technologies’ innovative sensor technology to its line of web measurement and control products for multiple applications in the converting industry.

According to the distributor agreement, TTS Systems will be an exclusive distributor of Roll-2-Roll Technologies’ line of web guides and web positioning sensor products for the UK and Ireland.

Aravind Seshadri, president of Roll-2-Roll Technologies, says the partnership is mutually beneficial. “TTS Systems stays in the forefront of the converting industry by providing leading-edge technology solutions to its customers along with its exceptional value added customer service. We feel that our combined innovative products and their UK based technical support are a perfect match that will bring great benefits to both our customers in that region.”

The 2018 AWA Sleeve Label Awards competition is open for entries. Submission deadline is Feb. 2.

The AWA Sleeve Label Awards recognize the fast-developing industry’s outstanding achievements in stretch- and shrink-sleeve labeling and product decoration. The awards are open to all constituents of the sleeve-label value chain from designers, film producers, printers/converters, end users/brand owners, etc.

The winners, chosen by an independent panel of industry experts, will be announced and prizes presented at the AWA International Sleeve Label Conference & Exhibition to be held in Atlanta, GA, April 18-20, 2018.